Exclusive Interview with Mr. Mr. Hugo Mesquita
Luis and I had the pleasure of visiting Amorim’s facility in June of 2015. This was our very first time at a cork factory and we were absolutely amazed by the entire process. Walking
Margaret E. Ayala, Publisher of "Got Rum?" magazine
Margaret Ayala
Margaret E. Ayala, Publisher of "Got Rum?" magazine, heads up the section called "Exclusive Interview".
through their facility really made me stop and think of all the times I opened a rum bottle with a natural cork and never really had a true appreciation for it and the people behind the production. Thanks to the visit to Amorim, my view has completely changed: now, when I open a bottle and see the natural cork, I can’t help but smile and say a silent “thank you” to all the people and the care and attention needed for its creation.
Anyone interested in learning more about how cork can add to the prestige of their rum should stop by Amorim’s facility in Oporto.
Cheers!
Margaret Ayala, Publisher
Q: What is your full name, title, company name and location?
My name is Hugo Mesquita, Sales & Marketing Director at Amorim, Top Series Unit, Santa Maria de Lamas, Portugal
Q: Can you tell me how your company got started?
Corticeira Amorim (Amorim) is the largest world producer of cork products. It leads the whole sector, contributing to the sustainability and innovation of the cork industry, unlike any other.
With its origins dating back to 1870, the company soon became aware of the endless potential of this 100% natural raw material, transforming it into a choice item in the context of a informed society, aware of the environmental problems that result from their consumption- related choices.
Over the last 15 years, Amorim made unparalleled investments in research & development and innovation, developing a portfolio of high added value products and solutions, which anticipate market trends and surpass the expectations of some of the most demanding industries in the world.
Its signature is on the most unlikely everyday objects, Olympic sports equipment, organic solvents, high profile global works, state-of-the-art road and railway projects, spacecraft... Within the panorama of contemporary creation, it challenges designers, scientists and architects to explore the endless potential of cork.
Amorim’s activity makes the cork viable in a unique manner, and as a result, the preservation of the cork oak forest, a unique example of green economy, which is based on a balance between economic, social and environmental issues. The constant concern to adopt and reinforce sustainable development practices makes Amorim one of the most sustainable companies in the world.
Q: Of all the merchant powers in Europe, why is it that Portugal was the first to legislate the protection of the oak forests (through the agrarian laws of 1209)?
This was 500 years before the beginning of the Port Wine trade, so clearly the importance of these oak trees goes far beyond sealing bottles.
As a matter of fact Portugal has been a pioneer in environmental legislation, the first agrarian laws protecting cork forests having been enacted in the early 13th century, in 1209. Later, during the Age of Discoveries, the builders of the Portuguese ships and caravels that set sail in search of new worlds used cork oak wood for the parts that were most exposed to inclement weather. They claimed that the “sôvaro”, as it was called then, was the best wood for masts and yards: besides being exceptionally strong, it never rot ted (source: corkforest.org).
Q: Many people don’t know that corks are made from the bark of oak trees. One of the most fascinating things about these trees is that they are able to re-generate the bark, which keeps getting thicker and better with each renewal. What is the botanical explanation for this? Why don’t all trees behave in the same way?
Cork is from the cork oak (Quercus Suber L.) and is one of nature’s most extraordinary
products that is harvested. It’s raw material which is so perfect that no industrial or technological processes have yet been able to replicate. Only such a material could give rise to the demanding and sophisticated device that is the cork stopper.
Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree which is stripped every nine years, always between May and August, when the tree is at its most active phase of growth and it is easier to strip without damaging the trunk. Specialized professionals, who, with absolute precision, are able to handle the only tool used in this delicate process, to do the work: an axe.
Other trees in nature do not show this capability of regrowing the outer bark, making then the Cork Oak Tree so special.
Q: Can corks affect the pH of the rum stored inside the bottle? Can it affect its taste or aroma in any way?
One of corks main characteristics is its neutrality and role in preserving well liquids inside, protecting them from outside possible contaminations.
Q: Is it possible for corks to cause cloudiness or sedimentation in the rum inside the bottles?
There are several types (natural, technical) and grades of natural cork, each one of them
with several abilities and fit for every segment in the market. Cork is a wonderful material that we were gifted from Nature to which Amorim adds today’s most modern technology to make it capable to answer every technical need. Therefore, if the demand towards the product is not to cause cloudiness or sedimentation, our technical Team has the ability to propose you solutions that answer those needs.
Q: It seems fit ting to me that bottles of aged rum should be capped with a natural cork, since both the barrels used in the aging and the cork come from oak trees. But corks tend to lend an air of elegance or prestige, regardless if the rum is aged or not. Why is this?
Cork is indeed elegant and the current utilization of cork by some of the World’s most famous designers and luxury brands can attest to that. But cork is all that while being a natural product and people have a tremendous connection with nature. In fact, more and more, nature and luxury are interconnected. A bottle of fine spirits sealed with a good natural cork provides consumer a whole sense of trust, high quality, intuitive packaging, familiarity and quality. It’s a luxury made by Nature!
Q: What are some of the most common mistakes companies make when sourcing cork stoppers for their products?
I would tend to say that many people do not know the details of how to choose and use the right topper for the right drink. That’s why having a specialist is extremely important, one hat has the expertise regarding cork’s application, technical features, storage and all the marketing features around the development. These would be main areas that one should bear in mind when choosing their partner.
Q: What is the proper way to store a rum bottle with a cork? Should it be stored upright or horizontally?
Ideally a bottle of spirits is designed and conceived to be kept vertically at all times.
Q: Have corks themselves changed much over the last couple of centuries or are all improvements in this industry related to how the corks are manufactured?
Corks have changed and evolved considerably. The material is still the same, but the technology used to treat it, clean it and transform it into final product provides a much greater quality guarantee, complying with all international quality and food safety standards. Today’s research has also enabled to develop other kinds of corks, like technical corks for specific quality segments.
Q: Do you think that corks will still be used 100 or 200 years from now? If so, will their use be limited to only the most expensive/exclusive products only, due to availability or will supply be able to keep up with demand?
We have no doubt that corks will be used in the future. In fact we believe Cork’s future will
be brighter than its storied past. Cork has been around for millennia and its potential is far from being fully reached. Cork oak trees are a slow growing tree with an average lifespan of 220 years, so we are using today cork which comes from trees planted in the last couple of centuries and we see today’ mankind with enough wisdom to continue planting more trees. Dozens of thousands of high density plantations have been done recently and technology allows us to make a much more efficient use of the available raw material. Additional demand is motivating strong research, development and innovation which, in turn, will strengthen the whole supply chain. Our clients and the environment will benefit from that growth.
Q: If people want to contact you, how may they reach you?
They can reach us by our website www.topseriesamorim. com, from there you can find all our contacts. We are also available in all major social networks. My e-mail is hmesquita.tsunit@amorim.com. Do come and challenge us with innovative solutions. Challenges is what we love!
Q: Do you offer any tours of your facility? If so, how long is the tour and what can one expect during the tour?
Our doors are open for professional visits from the industry, but we’d be glad to show around to cork lovers how one can make great cork! Depending on the level of depth, from half a day up to a couple of days would be ideal to get the right insight.
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
Amorim and TopSeries in particular will proudly continue making history by having consumers around the world entangled with the magic of such a noble material to preserve the world’s best spirits. We count on all of your preference to continue this magic!